Mirza Ghalib

Heart it is, Not a Brick or Stone

Heart it is, not a brick or stoneWhy shouldn't it feel the pain? Let none tyrannize this heart Or I shall cry again and againNeither the temple, nor the mosqueNor on someone's door or porchI await on the path where He will treadWhy others should compel me to go? The illumined grace that lights up the heartAnd glows like the midday sunThat Self that annihilates all sightsWhen then it hides in the mysterious net? The amorous glance is the deadly daggerAnd the arrows of emotions are fatalYour image may be equally powerfulWhy should it appear before you? The rules of life and bonds of sorrowIn reality are the one manifestationBefore realizing the ultimate truth How can then one attain liberation? Love is laden with noble thoughtsYet what remains is the carnal shameTrust conscience the still little voice Why do you want test the rival? There the pride of modesty residesHere dwells the social moralityHow shall we meet, on which roadWhy should he invite me to the abode? True he is an atheistUnfaithful and unchasteDear to who is faith and heartWhy should he then venture there? Without the wretched 'Ghalib'Has any activity come to a halt? What then is the need to cry? What then is the need to brood?

He was a true genius. Great poem from a great poet. This poem is only a tiny example of his greatness. Some of his other poems had been a puzzle for their readers because they could not touch the arena of Ghalib's wisdom. He was one of the most typical poets of the world.
I salute his genius.
(Report)Reply